The First Step Toward a Healthy Home

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During the winter months we seal up our homes to keep us safe from all of the harmful elements outside. We should also be concerned with the harmful elements that are found inside of our homes.

Toxins can enter our home in many different ways. Some find their way in through shoes, others come from the cleaners we use every day, and others can seep out of carpet and paint. Get rid of these toxins for good by following these helpful tips to detoxify the air in your home.

House Plants

Keeping plants in your home helps to purify the air.

Toxins are devoured by house plants. Add some green to your décor and keep the air in your home clean. These house plants would absorb an array of toxins and chemicals in the air;

Rubber Plant

English Ivy

Aloe Vera

Boston Fern

Bamboo

Cleaning

Keep a regular cleaning schedule to avoid dust build up in your home. If you use regular household cleaners, they can be full of chemicals. Keep your family from ingesting these toxins by switching to a natural or green cleaner. Using a vacuum with a HEPA filter will also keep dust mites and dirt from being released back into the air.

Open the Windows

Practice airing out your home as much as possible. Release the stale air and welcome fresh air into your home. During colder months this can be hard, but letting fresh air in is vital when you are detoxifying your home. Let the breeze whisk the toxins away.

Replace Air Filters

Your air filters capture dirt, dust, germs, and toxins in the air. Replace all of the air filters in your home every 6 months.

Don’t Track in Toxins!

Wipe your feet on Dr. Doormat at the door to destroy microbes! Dr. Doormat is infused with an antimicrobial formula which creates a postive charge that starts to disable the nasty odors from microorganisms (bacteria, fungus, mold) on the mat on contact.

Making simple changes will keep the air you and your family breath clean and lower your exposure to environmental toxins – keeping you all healthier and happier!

Traveling by air is often stressful, but when you have to travel during the holidays it can be even more so.. Reduce air travel stress by planning ahead and using these airline tips for a happy and stress free airplane ride.

There are a few things to keep in mind when traveling by air, especially with kids in tow.

A Calm Trip

Unlike a car ride, where you can pull off at rest stops, a plane is a long endless ride for youngsters. To help pass the time, you can pack in your carry-on baggage some simple toys to amuse them. Pack crayons and coloring books, stuffed animals. Avoid noisy toys that will disturb other passengers, unless they can be used with headphones.

Babies will need a pacifier or bottle to suck on during times when the cabin pressure is likely to bother them like during takeoff and touchdown.

If possible, schedule the flight during naptimes or bedtime so that your child will be less disturbed by these minor discomforts.

Plan Ahead

Check with your airline to see what carry – on baggage is appropriate for youngsters. Ask if it is all right to bring a booster seat so that your child can see out the window (ask for a window seat for your child over five).

Arrive at least an hour early for domestic flights and two hours early for international flights.

If flying internationally, check for passport requirements and vaccination requirements.

You may have better flights using surburban airports than big city airports because they are less congested.

TSA Tips

Security agents may open wrapped gifts, so do not wrap presents until you get to your destination. You might consider shipping packages instead of using baggage to avoid overweight fees and long check-in lines.

If you are bringing food aboard make sure they are in see-through containers, or factory-
sealed food.

Here on the blog, I talk about ways to keep your family healthy. It’s all about protecting the ones you love! It’s important that we don’t overlook our pets.

As the weather cools down, there are a few specific things to keep in mind to protect our furry friends.

Avoid Toxins

The deicers used to keep sidewalks and driveways clear contains salt and sometimes other chemicals that can irritate pets’ paws. Avoid walking your pet through these areas, and just to be safe, wipe their paws on Dr. Doormat and clean thoroughly to remove any residue.

Antifreeze is another toxin to be mindful about. It has a sweet taste that appeals to pets and kids alike, but it’s highly toxic. Keep it out of their reach (including spills in the driveway and garage)!

Keep your pets safe and healthy this winter!

Keep Warm

Just like us humans, animals need to stay warm to avoid hypothermia and frostbite! Don’t leave pets outside for long periods of time when the weather is very cold.

Some dog breeds are well-suited to cold environments, while others will benefit from sweaters and doggie “socks.” Small dogs are especially at risk for hypothermia. Research your dog’s breed to see how you can help them cope with the cold.

If your dog does spend a significant amount of time outside, take care to ensure that their water bowl doesn’t freeze! You can even purchase heated water bowls for outdoor use.

Helping Feral Cats and Wildlife

One important thing to remember is that cats and wildlife often take respite underneath warm parked vehicles, so in order to avoid injuring these critters as you pull away, make it a habit to bang on your hood before you start your vehicle in the winter and bend down to take a look by the wheels. You might look a little nutty, but you might very well save an animal!

The news has been abuzz lately with concerns about world health and disease outbreaks. Much of the hysteria is unwarranted, say healthcare experts. In fact, the odds of becoming very ill with influenza is vastly more likely than contracting ebola or enterovirus D68.

Still, parents are understandably concerned. Here’s what you need to know about current world health issues and how to keep your family safe.

World Health Concerns

Good hygiene is one of the most important things you can do to avoid illness.

The current major world health concerns are ebola and enterovius D68. The current ebola outbreak originated in Africa. While the origination of enterovirus D68 hasn’t been pinned down, it’s been speculated that it began in Latin America.

The risk of death for both illnesses is low in the Unites States. Children with asthma and other underlying health conditions have a higher risk of complications from both viruses.

The main issue is that there is no cure for either disease, as they are both viruses. The best way to contain outbreaks is to minimize the spread of the diseases by those who are infected.

Safe on the Home Front

Protecting your family from global diseases is not much different than what you would normally do to keep your family safe from regular illnesses. Important to consider, also, is how you’ll contain these infections to protect others if anyone in your family is infected. Here’s what you need to know:

Don’t live in fear. Know that your odds of dying or losing a child to either of these illnesses is very low, though you wouldn’t always know it from the media. Not only will living in fear diminish your relationships, the stress of doing so debilitates your immune system, too!

Wash your hands - often! Use soap and warm water to wash your hands before eating, and after coming home from being in public. Don’t touch your face if your hands aren’t clean.

We track millions of microbes and toxins into our homes everyday. Keep the nasties out by placing Dr. Doormat at your entrances – Wiping your shoes at least twice helps trap and remove up to 90% of debris, including fungi and bacteria.

Maintain wellness – even if you do become infected, studies are confirming that good underlying nutrition and hydration are key in avoiding complications and death from these viruses. Eat well and stay hydrated.

Keep your home well-stocked. In the event that a major outbreak does hit your area, you may not want to be travelling to the store too often. Keep your home well-stocked with healthy non-perishables (rice, oats, frozen fruits and veggies, and whole-food protein powders are a few choices to consider.) will help you stay healthy if you have to hunker down! Don’t forget toilet paper and other hygienic supplies, too.

We all know how important it is to exercise – but how much exercise do we really need? Read on to learn more about how much exercise we all need – and how to get more if you’re not quite reaching that goal.

How Much Exercise?

We all need exercise! The amount, however, depends on our age and other health factors.

60 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per day for children and teens.

It’s important to remember that those with underlying, ongoing health conditions should talk to their primary care provider about exercise needs. There are a lot of variables that can’t be covered here – so be safe!

Fitting In Mini-Workouts

The good news is you can break up your weekly exercise needs in a way that works best for your schedule! For example, an adult might go for a brisk 30 minute walk 5 mornings per week – or a 15 minute walk twice per day for 5 days a week!

Others might choose to do longer workouts to meet their needs and can spread them out further if desired.

Here are a few ways to fit in bursts of exercise throughout the day:

Play a quick game of tag with the kids before dinner. (Vigorous)

Jog in place while reading your email or watching your favorite show. (Vigorous)

Take a brisk walk on your lunch break. (Moderate)

Take the stairs instead of the elevator. (Moderate)

Getting the exercise you need is a key part of a healthy lifestyle. While it might be difficult at first, you’ll find that you have more energy as you become more fit and even start to look forward to your workouts!

One of the simplest ways you can begin to eat healthier is to pack your own lunches. Restaurant food and (unfortunately) school lunches are often loaded with preservatives, food coloring, and excess fat and sugar. By packing your own meal, you can choose healthier foods and save a lot of money! Here’s how to pack a healthy lunch!

Nutty-fruit burrito. This one is a kid favorite! Spread peanut butter or better yet almond butter on a whole grain tortilla and add sliced apples or banana. Sprinkle with cinnamon and roll it up! Pack it with a side of carrot sticks and hummus or a handful of raw almonds.

Leftovers! The easiest healthy lunch of all is to simply pack up some leftovers from last night’s healthy dinner and enjoy it again for lunch.

The most important thing to remember about packing a healthy lunch is to make it something you really enjoy. Keep these guidelines in mind for a lunch that energizes and keeps you full through the afternoon:

Include a veggie. It’s really easy to skimp on vegetables throughout the day, so get at least a serving or two in during lunch, whether it’s a salad, a side, or part of your main meal.

Pack in the protein! Protein is the key to staying full and energized through the afternoon. Build your sandwich around lean meats like chicken or turkey and include sides like greek yogurt or rice and beans.

Keep the fat and sugar to a minimum. While fat isn’t necessarily unhealthy if you eat the right kind, too much at lunch time might make you sluggish. Too much sugar is never good and will cause an energy crash shortly afterward!

Packing a healthy lunch doesn’t have to take a lot of time. With a little planning, these tips will help your whole family avoid processed foods and eat much healthier.

In the documentary, Super Size Me, Morgan Spurlock shares what happened when he ate nothing but fast food for a month. If you saw the movie, you know the results he found: a month of junk food had a profoundly harmful effect on his body, mind and spirit. He felt and looked awful because of his poor food choices.

Replace processed foods with natural, healthy alternatives!

While Super Size Me shows an extreme example, the reality is that many of us are cultivating the exact same results in our own life by making poor food choices far too often!

Are you considering making big changes in your health by eating healthier? If you are ready to make that jump from junk food and quick meals to unprocessed, wholesome food, start with 1-3 replacements and notice just how great you feel.

The United States population has an obsession with junk food; that’s certainly not news. We’re a fat, unhealthy nation, with quick, processed foods far too easily obtainable. All the junk food that you have been feeding your body will have eroded your body; and once you start living a healthier lifestyle, your body is in for a battle of change.

Some ideas for getting started:

Replace sodas and sports drinks (which are loaded with preservatives and artificial ingredients) with tea, or better yet, water!

Replace refined white bread with whole grain or sprouted grain bread.

Replace vegetable oil, which is often genetically modified and heavily processed, with extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil.

Replace white sugar with honey, stevia, or maple syrup.

Snack on fresh fruits and vegetables instead of chips, crackers, and other processed snacks.

Switching to unprocessed food offers loads of benefits! You’ll enjoy a lower risk of the diseases related to preservatives, pesticides, and artificial ingredients. You’ll likely be eating much less refined sugar, giving more stable blood sugar and more energy. You’ll probably reach a healthier weight, if you have some to lose.

Getting the kids back in school is usually a welcome change for parents. Not quite as welcome are the cold and flu viruses that start to circulate this season as fall arrives and students spend more time in close quarters.

While viral illnesses are sometimes unavoidable, there are many things you can do to protect your

Hand washing is one of several ways to avoid getting sick.

family – keeping them healthier and less prone to infections.

One survey showed that the top recommendation from school nurses to avoid getting sick was to practice routine hand washing. Kids need to be taught how and when to wash their hands and to avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth without washing hands first.

Keep nutrition a priority. Eating a variety of healthy, unprocessed foods each day ensures that kids get the nutrients needed for a healthy immune system

Get adequate rest. Sleep is also necessary for the immune system to work at its best. Practice good sleep hygiene so everyone recharges.

On the other hand, it’s also important to know what to do to avoid spreading illness if someone in your family becomes ill. Keep sick kids at home and practice good hygiene in public places like the grocery store. Also, teach kids to always cover their nose and mouth with their elbow when coughing or sneezing to prevent the spread of airborne germs and to keep the hands clean.

Get clear on where you want to be. Want to be healthier? Define what that means to you, whether it’s a weight loss goal or having more energy.

Break your goal into actionable steps and build habits that will get you there. Leading off of the same example, if your goal is to have more energy, build habits into your daily routine like exercise, drinking fresh juice, and getting to bed on time each night.

Remind yourself of your goals daily. Often, life gets in the way of the things we want to accomplish and we let our goals fizzle out. To avoid this, place reminders to yourself where you will see them each day. Notes on your bathroom mirror, or in your car are a great idea.

Set yourself up for success. Using the power of momentum to achieve your goals is so helpful. An example of this is taking the first step toward doing what it takes to meet your goals. For example, if you want to work out every day, commit to dressing in your workout gear and driving to the gym. Tell yourself that if you get there, and still don’t feel like a workout, you can leave. Chances are that you will already be invested by the time you show up and follow through with what you set out to do.

What goals are you setting this fall? Are you getting up earlier? Taking more time for yourself? Being more involved at school? I want to know!